Australian Government Solicitor

The High Court has revoked special leave to Facebook to challenge a case by the privacy commissioner, finding that the social media giant’s grounds of appeal no longer involved issues of public importance.

Casino giant Crown has admitted to a “significant number” of anti-money laundering and counter terrorism breaches in a case brought by AUSTRAC.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has instituted court proceedings against the insurance arm of Queensland’s peak motoring body alleging it misled customers about their entitlement to discounts on a range of insurance products.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has lost its challenge to a decision that tossed its case alleging NSW Ports stymied competition when it signed a 50-year agreement with the state to privatise two ports. 

The High Court has thrown out laws that banned unions and other third parties from spending more than $20,000 on political campaigns ahead of a New South Wales state election in March.

Asset Energy has won Federal Court review of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s decision not to grant a two-year extension of a controversial offshore exploration license, after the government conceded that Morrison’s decision was “infected by apprehended bias.”

A court has heard that casino giants Crown and Star are likely to reach agreement with AUSTRAC as to liability in proceedings alleging “widespread and serious non-compliance” with anti-money and counter terrorism laundering laws.

The federal government’s bid to shut down an underpayments class action on behalf of postgraduate research candidates at universities across Australia remains to be heard after a judge rejected the self-represented applicant’s bid to strike out the strike-out application.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has filed court proceedings against the owner of Super Cheap Auto, Rebel Sport, Macpac, BCF and Ray’s Outdoors for allegedly underpaying thousands of employees across Australia.

A judge has approved a $450,000 penalty against Australian Mines in ASIC proceedings brought after its managing director was allegedly caught lying at an investment conference about the value of an offtake agreement and funding for a project at its cobalt and nickel mine in Queensland.